MATH 521: The Real
Number System
Syllabus - Fall 2007
Instructor: Marianne Korten
Office: Cardwell 234, 532-0567
Office Hours: TBA
Textbook:
Main textbook: Numbers: Rational and Irrational, Ivan Niven,
The
Mathematical Association of America, New mathematical Library.
For additional readings and work I will occasionally use The Number Devil, Hans Magnus
Enzensberger, Henry Holt & Company.
Course description:
An extensive developement of number systems, with emphasis upon
structure. Includes systems of natural numbers, integer numbers,
rational
numbers, and real numbers.
The course will introduce some formal logic, enough to understand and
be able to do elementary proofs. I will occasionaly include other
materials
to further illustrate the subject we are woking on, while
providing you with material you may later use in your own classroom.
Grading policy:
Attendance and participation are requiered. Final grades will be
based on witten work and participation, as follows:
25% for homework, 30% for the midterm, 5% for work in class, 40% for
the final.
Here I will post your (roughly weekly) assignments.